U.S. patent number 6,481,743 [Application Number 09/872,568] was granted by the patent office on 2002-11-19 for side curtain air bag.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Delphi Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Connie M. Hardig, Jennifer M Tobe.
United States Patent |
6,481,743 |
Tobe , et al. |
November 19, 2002 |
Side curtain air bag
Abstract
An air bag cushion deployable from a location along the roof
rail the vehicle interior over an expansive area adjacent to an
occupant to be protected. The air bag cushion is of a partially
segmented construction including a main body portion deployable
downwardly away from the roof rail and an expansible upper portion
expansible between the header portion of the roof rail and the head
of an adjacently seated vehicle occupant. The main body portion and
the inflatable upper portion of the air bag cushion are attachable
to the roof rail structure along a common line of attachment. The
inflatable upper portion and the main body portion of the air bag
cushion may be inflated by a common source of inflation gas so as
to utilize a single common inflator.
Inventors: |
Tobe; Jennifer M (Tipp City,
OH), Hardig; Connie M. (Cincinnati, OH) |
Assignee: |
Delphi Technologies, Inc.
(Troy, MI)
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Family
ID: |
25359859 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/872,568 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/728.2;
280/730.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
21/232 (20130101); B60R 21/231 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
21/16 (20060101); B60R 021/22 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/728.2,730.2,730.1,729,743.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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405038993 |
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Feb 1993 |
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JP |
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405238347 |
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Sep 1993 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Dickson; Paul N.
Assistant Examiner: To; Toan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Marra; Kathryn A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An inflatable curtain structure for deployment within the
interior of a transportation vehicle including a roof and a
structural roof rail so as to cover an area below the roof adjacent
to an occupant within the vehicle upon the occurrence of an
activating event, the curtain structure comprising: a gas inlet for
acceptance of inflation gas; a main body portion of inflatable
character including an impact surface facing generally towards the
occupant upon inflation of the curtain structure and a rear surface
facing generally away from the occupant upon inflation of the
curtain structure; an inflatable upper portion of substantially
extended elongate configuration disposed above the main body
portion and extending substantially adjacent to the roof rail such
that upon inflation the upper portion extends along a portion of
the length of the vehicle in covering relation to a portion of the
roof rail; and a fluid blocking zone of separation extending
between the main body portion and the upper portion along at least
a portion of the length of the curtain structure, the main body
portion and the upper portion each being in fluid communication
with the gas inlet such that the main body portion and the upper
portion are inflatable substantially independently from one another
upon the occurrence of the activating event substantially without
reliance upon transmission of inflation gas between the main body
portion and the upper portion.
2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the zone of
separation comprises a gap extending between the main body portion
and the upper portion.
3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the zone of
separation comprises a web structure extending between the main
body portion and the upper portion.
4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the zone of
separation extends from a lateral edge of the inflatable curtain
structure to a location at the interior of the inflatable curtain
structure.
5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the distance between
the gas inlet and said location at the interior of the inflatable
curtain structure is less than the distance between the gas inlet
and said lateral edge.
6. An inflatable curtain structure for deployment within the
interior of a transportation vehicle including a roof and a
structural roof rail so as to cover an area below the roof adjacent
to an occupant within the vehicle upon the occurrence of an
activating event, the curtain structure comprising: a gas inlet for
acceptance of inflation gas; a main body portion of inflatable
character including an impact surface facing generally towards the
occupant upon inflation of the curtain structure and a rear surface
facing generally away from the occupant upon inflation of the
curtain structure; an inflatable upper portion of substantially
extended elongate configuration disposed above the main body
portion and extending substantially adjacent to the roof rail such
that upon inflation the upper portion extends along a portion of
the length of the vehicle in covering relation to a portion of the
roof rail; and a fluid blocking zone of separation extending
between an upper edge of the main body portion and a lower edge of
the upper portion along at least a portion of the length of the
curtain structure, the main body portion and the upper portion each
being in fluid communication with the gas inlet such that the main
body portion and the upper portion are inflatable substantially
independently from one another upon the occurrence of the
activating event substantially without reliance upon transmission
of inflation gas between the main body portion and the upper
portion a first arrangement of attachment structures disposed
substantially adjacent the upper edge of the main body portion for
attachment of the main body portion to the roof rail; and a second
arrangement of attachment structures disposed substantially
adjacent the lower edge of the upper portion for attachment of the
upper portion to the roof rail.
7. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the zone of
separation comprises a gap extending between the main body portion
and the upper portion.
8. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the zone of
separation comprises a web structure extending between the main
body portion and the upper portion.
9. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the zone of
separation extends from a lateral edge of the inflatable curtain
structure to a location at the interior of the inflatable curtain
structure.
10. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the distance
between the gas inlet and said location at the interior of the
inflatable curtain structure is less than the distance between the
gas inlet and said lateral edge.
11. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the first
arrangement of attachment structures comprises a plurality of
apertures arranged in a pattern for acceptance of fastening
elements attachable to the roof rail (30).
12. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the second
arrangement of attachment structures comprises a plurality of
apertures arranged in a pattern for acceptance of fastening
elements attachable to the roof rail.
13. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the first
arrangement of attachment structures and the second arrangement of
attachment structures each comprise a plurality of apertures for
acceptance of fastening elements attachable to the roof rail.
14. The invention according to claim 13, wherein the apertures
comprising the first arrangement of attachment structures and the
apertures comprising the second arrangement of attachment
structures are disposed in substantial alignment across the zone of
separation such that apertures within the second arrangement of
attachment structures are alignable in overlapping registry with
corresponding apertures within the first arrangement of attachment
structures for acceptance of common fastening elements attachable
to the roof rail.
15. A restraint system for protection of an occupant at the
interior of a transportation vehicle including a roof and a
structural roof rail, comprising: a gas emitting inflator and an
inflatable curtain structure for storage along and deployment away
from the roof rail so as to cover at least a portion of the roof
rail and an area below the roof rail adjacent to the occupant
within the vehicle upon the occurrence of an activating event, the
curtain structure comprising: a gas inlet for acceptance of
inflation gas from the inflator; a main body portion of inflatable
character including an impact surface facing generally towards the
occupant upon inflation of the curtain structure and a rear surface
facing generally away from the occupant upon inflation of the
curtain structure; an inflatable upper portion of substantially
extended elongate configuration disposed above the main body
portion and extending substantially adjacent to the roof rail such
that upon inflation the upper portion extends along a portion of
the length of the vehicle in covering relation between the occupant
and a portion of the roof rail; and a fluid blocking zone of
separation extending between an upper edge of the main body portion
and a lower edge of the upper portion along at least a portion of
the length of the curtain structure, the main body portion and the
upper portion each being in fluid communication with the gas inlet
such that the main body portion and the upper portion are
inflatable substantially independently from one another upon the
occurrence of the activating event substantially without reliance
upon transmission of inflation gas between the main body portion
and the upper portion a first arrangement of attachment apertures
disposed substantially adjacent the upper edge of the main body
portion for attachment of the main body portion to the roof rail;
and a second arrangement of attachment apertures disposed
substantially adjacent the lower edge of the upper portion for
attachment of the upper portion to the roof rail, wherein the first
and second arrangements of attachment apertures are disposed in
substantial alignment with one another across the zone of
separation; and wherein at least a portion of the apertures within
the second arrangement of attachment apertures are aligned in
juxtaposed registry with corresponding apertures within the first
arrangement of attachment structures to establish one or more
passageways for acceptance of common fastening elements extending
across both the main body portion and the upper portion for
attachment to the roof rail.
16. The invention according to claim 15, wherein the upper portion
is disposed in substantially folded over relation to the main body
portion.
17. The invention according o claim 15, wherein the upper portion
and the main body portion are arranged in a pleated orientation.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an inflatable air bag cushion for
use in covering a side portion of a vehicle interior adjacent to an
occupant to be protected during a collision event, and more
particularly, to an air bag cushion of substantially curtain-like
structure for deployment away from the roof rail of the vehicle.
The air bag cushion includes a main body portion for deployment
generally downwardly and away from the vehicle roof rail to the
side of an occupant to be protected and an inflatable upper portion
for expansion between the head of the occupant to be protected and
opposing portions of the roof rail structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known in motor vehicles to provide air bag cushions for
protecting a vehicle occupant. Such air bag cushions are typically
in fluid communication with gas generating inflators so as to
inflate the cushions upon sensing predetermined vehicle conditions
such as decelerations exceeding a certain level. It is further
known to provide air bag systems including inflatable restraint
cushions which are deployed from positions of attachment to the
vehicle frame along the roof rail portion of the vehicle frame so
as to extend downwardly in substantially curtain-like fashion
between an occupant to be protected and the side portion adjacent
to such occupant. Such coverage is intended to provide cushioning
restraint for the occupant during a side impact or extended
roll-over collision event. Such curtain-like structures thereby
provide protection to the vehicle occupant generally in regions
below the location of attachment along the roof rail of the
vehicle. That is, the protection afforded by such downwardly
deployed curtain-like structures extends substantially in the
region below the zone of attachment along the roof rail.
In some instances such as during an extended roll-over event, it is
contemplated that an occupant may come into contact with the upper
portions of the roof rail structure commonly referred to as the
"header" portion of the roof rail. Typically, such contact will be
between the head of the vehicle occupant and the header portion of
the roof rail which is generally undesirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides advantages and alternatives over the prior
art by providing an air bag cushion which is deployed from a
location along the roof rail portion of a vehicle frame in
substantially curtain-like fashion across the side of the vehicle
interior over an expansive area adjacent to an occupant to be
protected. The air bag cushion further includes an expansible upper
portion expansible between the header portion of the roof rail and
the head of an adjacently seated vehicle occupant. The main body
portion and the inflatable upper portion of the air bag cushion are
attachable to the roof rail structure along a common line of
attachment. The inflatable upper portion and the main body portion
of the air bag cushion may be inflated by a common source of
inflation gas so as to utilize a single common inflator.
According to one potentially preferred aspect of the invention, the
air bag cushion incorporates a substantially segmented construction
along at least a portion of its length such that the inflatable
upper portion and the main body portion are separated from one
another except for a common inflation path adjacent a gas inlet
opening to the air bag cushion. The segmented construction of the
air bag cushion facilitates potentially desirable attachment
arrangements between the air bag cushion and the roof rail so as to
promote desired deployment characteristics for the inflatable upper
portion which are substantially independent from the inflation and
deployment of the main body portion.
According to another potentially preferred aspect of the present
invention, deployment of the inflatable upper portion of the air
bag cushion is not dependent upon inflation of the main body
portion since inflation gas is not required to travel substantially
through the main body portion before reaching the inflatable upper
portion of the air bag cushion. The present invention thus provides
a highly efficient and versatile structure for providing cushioning
protection to a vehicle occupant and thus provides useful
advantages over the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention is set
forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification,
including reference to the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of the interior of an automotive vehicle
incorporating a curtain-like air bag cushion according to the
present invention mounted along the roof rail portion of the
vehicle frame generally to the side of and above an occupant to be
protected;
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a curtain-like air bag cushion
according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a representative view of an attachment arrangement
between the air bag cushion illustrated in FIG. 2 and the roof rail
portion of the vehicle frame;
FIG. 3A is a representative view of an attachment arrangement
between the air bag cushion illustrated in FIG. 2 and the roof rail
portion of the vehicle frame;
FIG. 4 is a representative view of the deployment of a curtain-like
air bag cushion according to the present invention mounted using
the attachment arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 4A is a representative view of the deployment of a
curtain-like air bag cushion mounted incorporating the attachment
arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3A.
While the invention has been illustrated and generally described
above and will hereinafter be described in connection with certain
potentially preferred embodiments, constructions and practices, it
is to be understood that in no event is the invention to be limited
to such illustrated and described embodiments, constructions or
practices. On the contrary, it is intended that the present
invention shall extend to all alternatives and modifications as may
embrace the broad principles of this invention within the true
spirit and scope thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals have
been utilized to designate like components throughout the various
views, in FIG. 1, there is illustrated a vehicle 10 such as an
automobile as will be well known to those of skill in the art. It
is to be appreciated that while the invention will hereinafter be
described in reference to operation within an automobile, it is
contemplated that the invention is likewise applicable to any
number of other transportation vehicles including by way of example
only, aircraft, buses and railroad cars. In the illustrated
environment of use, the vehicle 10 includes a front seat 12 which
may be used to support a front seated vehicle occupant 14. The
vehicle 10 may further include a rear seat 16 which may be used to
support a rear occupant (not shown). While the front seat 12 and
the rear seat 16 are illustrated as being located on the driver's
side of the vehicle 10, it is to be appreciated that the present
invention is also useful in the protection of an occupant (not
shown) seated in either the front seat or rear seat on the
passenger side of the vehicle 10.
In order to provide visibility to the occupant 14, the vehicle 10
is provided with a windshield 18 as well as with one or more side
windows 20. As illustrated, the side windows 20 are located
generally adjacent to the seats 12, 16 to the sides of the
occupants seated therein. The vehicle 10 preferably also includes
one or more doors 22 which extend adjacent to the seats 12, 16
towards a roof 26.
As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the vehicle 10
preferably includes a structural frame formed from an arrangement
of structural support members including a roof rail 30 disposed
generally at the intersection between the doors 22 and the roof 26.
The vehicle 10 also preferably includes a series of structural
support members 32, 34, 36 which extend downwardly from the roof
rail 30. The structural support pillar 32 which extends between the
windshield 18 and the side window 20 adjacent to the front seat 12
is commonly referred to as the "A" pillar. The structural support
pillar 34 disposed intermediate the side windows 20 is commonly
referred to as the "B" pillar. The structural support pillar 36
disposed rearward of the side window 20 adjacent to the rear seat
16 is commonly referred to as the "C" pillar. As will be
appreciated, each of the structural support pillars 32, 34, 36 is
preferably covered by a trim piece which extends in elongate
fashion away from the roof rail 30. The roof rail 30 is likewise
preferably covered by a trim piece or headlining material 38 as
shown in FIG. 4 so as to permit the egress of an air bag cushion in
the manner as described hereinafter.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that an air bag
cushion in the form of an inflatable curtain structure 40 may be
stored in rolled or folded fashion in attached relation to the
vehicle frame along at least a portion of the roof rail 30. It is
also contemplated that portions of the inflatable curtain structure
may be stored along portions of the "A" pillar 32 and/or along
portions of the "C" pillar 36. As shown, the inflatable curtain
structure 40 is preferably in fluid communication with a gas
discharging inflator 42. As is well known to those of skill in the
art such that gas may be discharged from the inflator 42 and into
an inlet opening 44 (FIG. 2) to effect deployment of the inflatable
curtain structure 40. As illustrated, the inflatable curtain
structure 40 may also be attached to tethering elements 46 secured
at locations to promote the desired deployment path for the
inflatable curtain structure upon inflation by the inflator 42. As
will be appreciated, the inflatable curtain structure 40, inflator
42, and tethering elements are preferably hidden from view by the
overlying trim.
It is to be understood that while the inflatable curtain structure
40 is illustrated as being attached substantially between the "A"
pillar 32 and the "C" pillar 36, storage may in fact take place
over either a longer or a shorter region if desired. By way of
example only, in the event that the vehicle 10 incorporates only a
front seat 12, the inflatable curtain structure 40 may be attached
between the "A" pillar 32 and the "B" pillar 34. Likewise, in the
event that the vehicle 10 incorporates additional rows of seats
(not shown), the inflatable curtain structure may be attached
between opposing pillar elements at either end of the vehicle 10.
Moreover, while the vehicle 10 is illustrated as incorporating only
a single inflatable curtain structure 40 for coverage of the region
adjacent to the seats 12, 16 it is likewise contemplated that two
or more such curtain structures 40 may be utilized if desired to
cooperatively cover portions of the vehicle interior.
Referring now to FIG. 2, an inflatable curtain structure 40
according to the present invention is illustrated. As previously
indicated, the inflatable curtain structure 40 preferably includes
a gas inlet opening 44 in fluid communication with the inflator 42
so as to permit the introduction of a gaseous inflation medium into
the inflatable curtain structure 40 upon the occurrence of
predetermined vehicle conditions such as rapid deceleration or
angular tilt exceeding certain levels. According to the potentially
preferred practice of the present invention, the inflatable curtain
structure is formed by adjoining panels of substantially pliable
material in a pattern so as to form a substantially gas tight
enclosure to contain the inflation gas exiting the inflator 42
during an extended roll-over event.
As best illustrated through reference to FIG. 4, it is contemplated
that the inflatable curtain structure 40 preferably includes a
front impact surface 50 which faces towards the occupant 14 to be
protected during a collision event and a rear surface 52 which
faces generally away from the occupant to be protected during the
collision event and toward the adjacent side window 20. The front
impact surface 50 and the rear surface 52 bound a gas containment
chamber within the main body portion 54 of the inflatable curtain
structure 40. In addition, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, it is
contemplated that the inflatable curtain structure 40 may include a
pattern of regions of substantially non inflatable character 56
formed by joining together the front impact surface 50 and the rear
surface 52 in areas where inflation is not desired thereby
precluding expansion of the cushion in those regions and reducing
the total volume of inflating gas necessary to achieve complete
inflation.
The materials forming the inflatable curtain structure 40 are
preferably of a substantially pliable character so as to permit the
inflatable curtain structure 40 to be rolled or folded into a
compact space beneath the trim 38 covering the roof rail 30.
Textile fabrics may be preferred. Woven or knitted fabrics of nylon
or polyester may be particularly preferred. It is contemplated that
the air bag cushion 40 may be formed from two or more substantially
discrete panels of material which are thereafter seamed together or
may be formed as a substantially unitary structure if desired. That
is, since the air bag cushion 40 according to the present invention
is of a relatively simple substantially two-dimensional
configuration incorporating two opposing layers of material, it is
possible to form the cushion using either traditional cutting and
sewing techniques or by using patterned weaving or knitting
techniques to form the air bag cushion 40 directly on the weaving
loom or other formation apparatus simultaneous with the
construction of the fabric or other material from which the air bag
cushion is made. The ability to utilize such on loom formation may
be beneficial in reducing processing steps and labor needed to form
the air bag cushion 40. Moreover, as explained further hereinafter,
despite a relatively simple construction, the air bag cushion 40 is
nonetheless capable of providing substantial coverage over a
relatively complex geometric surface both above and below its
position of attachment to the vehicle 10.
In order to retain the inflating gas during an extended roll-over
event, it is contemplated that the materials forming the inflatable
curtain structure 40 are preferably substantially impermeable to
the inflation gas. In this regard it is contemplated that such low
gas permeability may be achieved by providing a permeability
blocking coating in the form of a film or dispersion of suitable
material such as silicone, polyurethane, polyamides, acrylics and
mixtures thereof across the inflatable portions of the front impact
surface 50 and the rear surface 52.
As indicated, according to the illustrated and potentially
preferred embodiment, the inflatable curtain structure 40 includes
the inflatable main body portion 54 defining the gas containment
chamber bounded between the front impact surface 50 and the rear
surface 52. As illustrated in FIG. 4, upon deployment, the main
body portion 54 is deployed generally downwardly away from the roof
rail 30. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inflatable curtain structure
40 also includes an inflatable upper portion 60. The main body
portion 54 is preferably separated from the inflatable upper
portion 60 by a zone of separation 62 such as a gap extending along
a portion of the length of the inflatable curtain structure 40. As
illustrated, the separation between the main body portion 54 and
the inflatable upper portion 60 is preferably terminated at a
location adjacent the inlet opening 44 such that both the main body
portion 54 and the upper portion are in common fluid communication
with the inlet opening 44. Such common fluid communication
facilitates the use of a single inflator 42 to inflate both the
main body portion 54 and the inflatable upper portion 60. However,
inflation gas need not travel through the main body portion 54 in
order to reach the upper portion 60. Of course, it is to be
appreciated that the main body portion 54 and the inflatable upper
portion 60 may be separated by means other than a gap such as by a
web structure or the like if desired.
As previously indicated, the inflatable curtain structure 40 is
preferably attached to the frame of the vehicle 10 along a portion
of the roof rail 30. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 3,
according to one potential embodiment, the inflatable curtain
structure 40 is provided with a first series of fastening apertures
64 arranged along the upper edge of the main body portion 54
adjacent the zone of separation 62 between the main body portion 54
and the inflatable upper portion 60. A second series of
corresponding fastening apertures 66 is preferably arranged along
the lower edge of the inflatable upper portion 60 in substantially
direct alignment with the first series thereby providing a dual set
of fastening apertures 64, 66. The incorporation of such a dual set
of fastening apertures 64, 66 facilitates the mounting of the
inflatable curtain structure 40 to the roof rail 30 so as to
provide the ability to control the deployment orientation of the
inflatable upper portion 60 without altering the deployment
characteristics of the main body portion 54.
As shown in FIG. 3, according to a first mounting arrangement, the
inflatable upper portion 60 may be pulled towards the main body
portion to effect substantial alignment between the fastening
apertures 64, 66. This alignment permits the insertion of a common
fastening element 70 such as a screw or snap fastener through each
aligned pair of fastening apertures 64, 66 for attachment to the
roof rail 30. Of course a plurality of such fastening elements 70
extending through corresponding pairs of fastening apertures 64, 66
is arranged along the attachment zone. As best illustrated in FIG.
4, the attachment arrangement utilized in FIG. 3 promotes the
generally upward deployment of the inflatable upper portion 60
along the header portion of the roof rail 30.
An alternative fastening arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 3A. As
shown, in this arrangement, the inflatable upper portion 60 is
folded in substantially flap-like fashion in juxtaposed relation to
the main body portion 54. This folding operation is carried out so
as to substantially align the corresponding fastening apertures 64,
66 of the main body portion 54 and inflatable upper portion 60
respectively. Such alignment permits the insertion of a single
fastening element 70 for connection to the roof rail 30. The
resultant deployment characteristics of the attachment arrangement
illustrated in FIG. 3A are illustrated in FIG. 4A. As shown, the
attachment arrangement of FIG. 3A causes the inflatable upper
portion 60 to be biased outwardly in a more lateral position which
may provide added cushioning in the region immediately opposing the
position of attachment to the roof rail 30. Such performance
characteristics may be desirable in some instances depending upon
the actual configuration of the roof rail 30. Such versatility
facilitates the use of common inflatable curtain structure designs
over a broad range of vehicle types.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 4A it is contemplated that the
inflatable upper portion 60 of the inflatable curtain structure 40
may be arranged in stored relation along the roof rail 30 behind a
covering layer of headlining material 38 such that it deploys from
a position generally behind the headlining material 38. As
illustrated, such an arrangement forces the headlining material 38
away from the roof rail 30 during deployment. It is likewise
contemplated that the inflatable upper portion 60 may be deployed
in front of the headlining material 38 if desired. By way of
example only, and not limitation, such deployment characteristics
may be realized by storing the inflatable curtain structure 40
behind a roof rail trim element (not shown) which hinges downwardly
and outwardly (i.e. towards the windows 20) as it is forced away
from the roof rail 30 by the deploying inflatable curtain structure
40. Such a configuration has the benefit of allowing the headlining
material 38 to remain substantially intact during the deployment
event which may provide additional coverage over the header portion
of the roof rail 30.
It is to be understood that while the present invention has been
illustrated and described in relation to certain potentially
preferred embodiments, constructions and procedures, that such
embodiments, constructions and procedures are intended to be
illustrative only and that the present invention is in no event to
be limited thereto. Rather, it is contemplated that modification
and variations embodying the principles of this invention will no
doubt occur to those of skill in the art. It is thus contemplated
and intended that the present invention shall extend to all such
modifications and variations as may incorporate the broad aspects
of the invention within the full spirit and scope of the appended
claims and all equivalents thereto.
* * * * *